The Center for World Languages and Cultures (CWLC) promotes engaged learning, teaching, and practice of the world’s languages and cultures; integrates languages and cultures into all disciplines and fields of study; and builds and supports interculturally competent communities through the exploration and experience of languages and cultures at the University of Denver with its local and global communities and partners. The CWLC is part of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), the University’s largest unit.  

Housed in the CWLC, the first-year language program (FYLP) offers study in nine languages and aids students in experiencing the world through the lens of an acquired language, and in understanding cultures –their own and others – from a position different from their primary language and cultural identification. The linguistic contribution to intercultural competency – that is to say, understanding another culture in the language of that culture and not just through the translations and perspectives of a mother-tongue and culture – is integral to achieving personal, social, and professional successes in a multi-cultural and global future.   

The first-year Chinese program provides students with an introduction to the Chinese language and culture and prepares students to study further through the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LL&C). LL&C offers both a major and a minor and supports dual-degree seekers who want to pair their knowledge of Chinese with majors like international studies, international business, and intercultural communications.  

The CWLC is strongly committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, which is in full accord with the value that DU places on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to integrate content and issues relating to, and to work effectively with, ethnically/racially diverse populations. 

Position Summary  

The University of Denver will hire a full-time, appointed Chinese teaching assistant professor to teach the first-year Chinese language sequence as well as humanities courses (or area of specialization) taught in English for the Common Curriculum, and other relevant courses as needed. This is a non-tenure track position that provides a three-year contract with full benefits and is renewable with the possibility of promotion. (Promotions to teaching associate and teaching full professor come with longer contracts.)   

The appointment will start on September 1^st, 2024. Course load is eight (8) courses per year, spread across a three-quarter calendar. Other responsibilities include developing a rigorous first-year curriculum, leading Chinese section meetings and adjunct faculty in the FYLP, advising students on placement, participating in retention and recruitment efforts, implementing program assessment in the spring quarter, working closely with other CWLC faculty to support CWLC endeavors, and coordinating with the Chinese faculty in the LL&C toward building a cohesive Chinese program.  

Candidates who demonstrate potential for teaching excellence, commitment to culturally responsive teaching, and ability to implement innovative teaching and learning approaches will be strongly preferred. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion through their teaching and service.   

Essential Functions  

Teaching  

• Teach eight classes over three academic quarters including first-year language courses, humanities courses (or area of specialization) taught in English contributing to the Common Curriculum, and other relevant language courses as needed, 
• Develop first-year sequence curriculum and assessments,  
• Develop common curriculum humanities courses taught in English.      

Service  

• Coordinate the Chinese sections in the FYLP, 
• Assess the first-year Chinese program annually with other colleagues as appropriate 
• Participate in CWLC meetings and committees, as well as CAHSS and University committees,   
• Actively collaborate with CWLC colleagues and with the department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures program faculty on recruitment and language advocacy initiatives.  

Research/Scholarship  

• Active scholarship is welcome and supported, though it is not a job requirement for this position.   

Required Qualifications  

• Master’s degree or ABD in Chinese Linguistics, in Second Language Acquisition with a focus on Chinese by time of appointment. Closely related fields will be given consideration as well.  
• Native or near-native fluency level in Mandarin Chinese and English.  
• 2 or more academic years (18 months) of experience in teaching Chinese language to Anglophone students at the college or university level (e.g., Teaching Assistant as an “instructor of record” with grading responsibilities).  
• Evidence of teaching using task-based, communicative methodologies which prioritize student-student interactions.  
• Evidence of implementing culturally responsive teaching practices.   
• Experience or willingness to learn course management systems such as Canvas.  
• Availability to teach classes “face-to-face” in physical classrooms at the University of Denver.  

Preferred Qualifications  

• Ph.D. in Chinese Linguistics, in Second Language Acquisition with a focus on Chinese by time of appointment. Closely related fields will be given consideration as well.    
• 3 + years previous experience teaching Chinese language to Anglophone students at the college or university level as the primary instructor, especially with courses from the first-year language sequence.  
• Experience in program development.   
• Extended residence or/and extensive travel in the Chinese-speaking world.  
• Experience interacting with and effectively teaching diverse communities of students.  
• Experience managing a course via Canvas.   

Work Schedule  

Language courses meet for 10-week sessions with 50-minute classes held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Other Common Curriculum courses may meet twice a week for 110 minutes during the week. Departmental or university service duties may be required beyond the Monday through Thursday teaching schedule, including service on hiring or other committees and assistance with language placement and advising. 

While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar).

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 26, 2024

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range  

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$63,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

For full consideration, please include the following documents with your application:  

1. Cover letter (1 to 2 pages) including a statement of how the applicant can contribute to values, practices and actions regarding diversity, equity and inclusivity. Candidates can view DU’s DEI Strategic Plan here (https://www.du.edu/equity/dei-action-plan) and/or the College of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) DEI Strategic plan here (https://liberalarts.du.edu/news-events/all-articles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-strategic-plan-cahss).   
2. C.V.  
3. One-page statement on teaching philosophy, addressing culturally responsive teaching practices  
4. Original sample lesson plan for an elementary Chinese language course with materials supporting learning activities and explanations in English  
5. A sample syllabus, preferably of a first-year language course  
6. Names and contact information of three references.  

The University of Denver recognizes that its success in being a great university dedicated to the public good depends greatly on how well it engages, supports, and champions the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. As part of our intentionality in recruiting and retaining faculty from a wide variety of historically excluded intersecting identities, including those from communities of color, with diverse gender and sexual identities, first-generation college graduates, or with disabilities, new faculty will have the opportunity to choose to participate in a pilot University-wide initiative. This initiative will connect new colleagues in a cohort, building community across units with supportive programming led by the Office of the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs in collaboration with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and each faculty participant’s academic unit. To learn more about the University of Denver’s commitments and work in support of DEI and J, please visit: https://www.du.edu/equity. For more information about this program or if you have any questions, please email inclusion@du.edu and/or visit https://duvpfa.du.edu/faculty-resources/prospective-faculty/.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.